E.K. NATION

Actually, it's Men of the Year, plural. It's the New England Patriots. Simply because I've never seen anything like it. Even if they lose tonight in their quest to go 16-0 for the season. They've just been so workmanlike in their destruction of their opponents, and really, they've been rather quiet about it. It's everybody else that's up in arms over their season, whether they love 'em or hate 'em. The Patriots are going out there, doing their job, and then moving on. Congrats, Pats, on your achievement, and good luck against the other guys in the Super Bowl (like you need it).

Now then. Here are the picks for the final week of the NFL season. It's a weird week, the way most final weeks of an NFL season are. Carolina is favored in Tampa? The Titans are favored in Indy? Now that's weird. I've been thinking about it for days: Who's going to play and who's going to rest up for the playoffs? Here's what I came up with (lines courtesy Bodoglife.com. Home team in CAPS, predicted winner listed first):

SATURDAY NIGHT:

NEW ENGLAND (-14) over N.Y. Giants. Just can't go against the Patriots. But my take is this: The Giants should play everyone and play hard. This is their Super Bowl. If they beat New England, it's a feather in their cap almost as good as a playoff win, which I don't believe they are going to get. Rest their starters? They've got some kinks to work out. Play 'em!

SUNDAY MORNING:

Buffalo (+8) over PHILADELPHIA. Last team with the ball wins this one.
TAMPA BAY (+3) over Carolina. Even if the Bucs do some resting, I don't see them losing this game.
MIAMI (+3) over Cincinnati. The Dolphins get multiple wins this year.
GREEN BAY (-5) over Detroit. I expect the Packers to go up 21-0 before pulling their starters.
Jacksonville (+6.5) over HOUSTON. The Jags should be running a lot, no matter whether it's Jones-Drew and Taylor or the reserves. Only four teams have allowed more rushing TDs than the Texans. Run that clock, Jags!
CHICAGO (+1.5) over New Orleans. Yes, the Saints have something to play for and the Bears don't. But I liked the way the Bears played last week with nothing on the line.
Seattle (+1.5) over ATLANTA. The Seahawks are locked into the #3 spot, but I still think they'll try for a comfortable lead before pulling the starters.
CLEVELAND (-10) over San Francisco. The Browns could put eleven cadavers on the field and it still wouldn't matter. They need Tennessee to lose in order to make the playoffs and that's all they can hope for. However, I see this as something of a statement game for Cleveland. If they make the playoffs, they'll want to go in with a win directly behind them. And by the way: If Cleveland loses and the Titans do as well, I'd like to call for an immediate moratorium on the phrase "backing into the playoffs." I hate that, and I can see it coming.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON:

WASHINGTON (-9) over Dallas. Skins win, and they're in the playoffs. Lucky for them, Dallas will be resting some people. Expect to see the Redskins in Seattle next weekend.
Pittsburgh (-3.5) over BALTIMORE. The Ravens have more injury problems than do the Steelers, and besides, the Ravens suck.
DENVER (+3) over Minnesota. The Broncos know the pain of being knocked out of the playoffs in the last week (see last year against the Niners) and I think they'll deliver a similar blow to the Vikes this time around.
San Diego (-9) over OAKLAND. Congrats, Raiders, on finally letting JaMarcus Russell start (what were you waiting for?). But it's too late to help anything this year.
St. Louis (+6) over Arizona. I heard about what Chris Redman did to the Cardinals secondary last week. Marc Bulger must be licking his chops.
N.Y. JETS (-6) over Kansas City. I can see this one being a blowout. How about 41-3?

SUNDAY NIGHT:

Tennessee (-4.5) over INDIANAPOLIS. It comes down to this: The Titans need a win to get to the playoffs, and the Colts will play their starters for maybe one series. If Tennessee can nearly beat a full-staffed Colts team (Indy nipped them 22-20 in Week 2), a determined Titans team should be able to beat a Colts team led by quarterback Jim Sorgi.

Last Week: 9-7, for a record of 96-64-4 this year. 96-64 gets you a division title in baseball. I'd say I've done quite well so far.